Indigenous Peoples' Day

As Indigenous Peoples’ Day approaches, I reflect on the deep and often painful histories of colonization, both in the United States with Native Americans and in Australia with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Growing up in Australia, I see the many parallels between these two groups, each subjected to profound injustice, cultural erasure, and systemic inequality. Yet, I also see their resilience and strength as they fight for justice, land rights, and the preservation of their cultures.

Quakers hold fast to believing in the Inner Light of all people; the belief that everyone carries a divine spark, regardless of their background or circumstances. This principle calls me to see the sacredness in each person’s experience and history, and it implores me to honor the struggles of Indigenous peoples in both the U.S. and Australia as intertwined--though unique--narratives of resistance against colonial violence.

For both Native Americans and Aboriginal peoples, land is more than just a physical space. It is a source of identity, spirituality, and community. The colonization of both nations resulted in a violent and systematic stripping of Indigenous lands, which were seized by European settlers. This was done under the pretext that these lands were “unused”, in the US, through treaties that were repeatedly broken, and in Australia through the doctrine of terra nullius, which falsely claimed that Aboriginal land was uninhabited.

This disregard for Indigenous land ownership strikes at the heart of the Quaker testimony of integrity. As Quakers, we believe in speaking and living in truth, yet the very foundation of colonization was built on the blatant disregard of Indigenous peoples’ rights. Aboriginals, who had lived on and nurtured the land for tens of thousands of years, were suddenly deemed “nonexistent” in legal terms. Similarly, Native Americans were pushed from their homelands through treaties that were consistently broken once settlers found the land valuable.

To this day, both Indigenous groups continue to fight for the return of their lands and the recognition of their sovereignty. As Quakers, we are called to stand in solidarity with these efforts, to advocate for justice, and to acknowledge the spiritual connection between Indigenous peoples and their land. A connection that runs far deeper than Western understandings of ownership.

Another common thread in the experiences of Native Americans and Aboriginal people is the devastating attempt by colonial governments to erase their cultures through forced assimilation. In both countries, Indigenous children were systematically removed from their families and placed into institutions or foster homes, where they were forbidden to speak their languages or practice their traditions. In the U.S., Native American children were sent to boarding schools designed to “civilize” them, while in Australia, the Stolen Generations represent one of the darkest chapters in our national history.

As a Quaker educator, the testimony of equality resonates deeply here. These policies were based on the racist belief that Indigenous peoples were inferior and needed to be remade in the image of the colonizers. Yet the principle of equality reminds us that all people are equal in the eyes of the Divine, and all cultures hold inherent worth. The removal of children and the erasure of language, traditions, and spirituality was an attempt to strip away not only identity but dignity.

However, amid these challenges, the resilience of both groups is nothing short of remarkable. Native Americans continue to assert their sovereignty, protect their lands, and revitalize their languages and cultures. In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are fighting for recognition in the constitution, for the return of stolen lands, and for the right to self-determination.

I am called to actively support these movements. The Quaker testimonies of peace and community remind me that reconciliation and healing are possible, but they require action. In Australia, the Uluru Statement from the Heart calls for a “Voice to Parliament” and a formal recognition of Indigenous sovereignty and a step toward healing the deep wounds of our past. This resonates with the struggles of Native Americans for treaty rights, "land back" movements, and recognition of their sovereignty in the United States.

As Indigenous Peoples’ Day approaches, I reflect on the pain that Native Americans and Aboriginal people have endured, but also on their strength, resilience, and spirit. As an Australian and a member of a Quaker community, I am committed to working toward a future where both Native American and Aboriginal communities are not just surviving, but thriving, with their sovereignty and cultural heritage fully recognized and respected.